Blogs
on September 19, 2025
<img src="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/universal-family-programme-peer-support-2048x2006.png"; style="max-width:430px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" /><br>Within the bustling halls of an NHS hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His smart shoes move with deliberate precision as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "how are you."<br>
<br>James carries his identification not merely as a security requirement but as a symbol of acceptance. It sits against a pressed shirt that betrays nothing of the difficult path that brought him here.<br>
<br>What separates James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His demeanor gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the <a href="https://hnycareershub.co.uk/employer-resources/">NHS Universal Family Programme</a>—an initiative crafted intentionally for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.<br>
<br>"I found genuine support within the NHS structure," James says, his voice measured but tinged with emotion. His observation encapsulates the heart of a programme that aims to transform how the massive healthcare system approaches care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.<br>
<br>The statistics tell a troubling story. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these impersonal figures are personal narratives of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in providing the stable base that molds most young lives.<br>
<br>The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a significant change in institutional thinking. At its heart, it recognizes that the entire state and civil society should function as a "universal family" for those who haven't known the security of a traditional family setting.<br>
<br>Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have led the way, establishing frameworks that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.<br>
<br>The Programme is thorough in its strategy, beginning with detailed evaluations of existing practices, creating oversight mechanisms, and obtaining executive backing. It understands that meaningful participation requires more than noble aims—it demands practical measures.<br>
<br>In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've created a regular internal communication network with representatives who can offer assistance and counsel on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.<br>
<br>The conventional NHS recruitment process—rigid and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now highlight character attributes rather than extensive qualifications. Applications have been reimagined to consider the unique challenges care leavers might face—from not having work-related contacts to having limited internet access.<br>
<br>Possibly most crucially, the Programme acknowledges that starting a job can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the safety net of family resources. Issues like commuting fees, identification documents, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become substantial hurdles.<br>
<br>The brilliance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from outlining compensation information to helping with commuting costs until that critical first salary payment. Even seemingly minor aspects like coffee breaks and office etiquette are carefully explained.<br>
<br>For James, whose career trajectory has "changed" his life, the Programme provided more than work. It gave him a sense of belonging—that ineffable quality that grows when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their distinct perspective improves the organization.<br>
<br>"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James notes, his gaze showing the modest fulfillment of someone who has found his place. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a family of people who really connect."<br>
<br>The <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-universal-family-programme-quick-guide/">NHS Universal Family Programme</a> exemplifies more than an employment initiative. It exists as a bold declaration that institutions can evolve to include those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but improve their services through the unique perspectives that care leavers provide.<br>
<br>As James navigates his workplace, his participation subtly proves that with the right help, care leavers can succeed in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS has provided through this Programme represents not charity but appreciation of hidden abilities and the profound truth that each individual warrants a community that champions their success.<br><img src="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/themes/nhsengland/static/img/nhs-uk-logo.svg"; style="max-width:410px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />